SPACE SCIENCE EDUCATION, OUTREACH ACTIVITIES AND THEIR IMPACTS IN NEPAL

摘要

Nepal is one of the member states of United Nation (UN) and listed as one of the least developed countries and doesnot have proper space infrastructures. Space sciences and astronomy have always been one of the most fascinatingsubjects among the young people in Nepal. Nepal is one of the member country of Asia Pacific Regional SpaceAgency Forum (APRSAF)'s Space Education and Awareness working group (SEA WG) since 2001 and member ofBoard of Governance of Center for Space Science and Technology Education In Asia and pacific (CSSTEAP)established in 1995 which is the regional center of the United Nation for capacity building programs in Asia pacific.With the rapid development of Information and communication (ICT) in Nepal and great influence of social media,it has been actively participating in the conferences such as APRSAF, COSPAR for many years. Participation in theInternational Astronautical Congress (IAC) and Space Generation Congress (SGC) in recent years has increased thelevel of awareness in the society.This paper presents an overview of the current status of space science education and outreach activities in Nepal.Highlights on the Nepal's participation in COSPAR, APRSAF and their outcomes are discussed in brief. Aninitiative of the Government of Nepal (GON) and roadmap for next 20 years is presented in detail. Outreachactivities of Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST), an autonomous apex body established in 1982 topromote S and T, B.P. Koirala Memorial Planetarium, Observatory and Science Museum Development Board,established in 1992 by the GON in order to establish Planetaria, Observatories and Science Museums in Nepal, arehighlighted. Activities of Nepal Astronomical Society (NASO) at national level and Nepali Association forAstronomical Mission (NAAM), Nepal Astronomy and Space Science Association (NASSA) and other existingclubs at localational levels along with their impacts in the societies are discussed in details. The problemsencountered by the above mentioned organizations while executing outreach activities will are discussed in brief.